My "happy place" has always been the northwestern portion of CT. as I've mentioned (ad nauseum)…read moreseveral times, but that "happy" space encompasses much of NY State too, and I've had a history with at least portions of the state since earliest memory. We traveled to NYC often, but upstate as well, at least occasionally, as a family. One of my earliest memories is visiting the "North Pole" in the Adirondacks. My clearest memory of that visit? Staying in a motel and watching "The Green Hornet" on TV (with a pre-fame Bruce Lee as the Hornet's sidekick). We also visited John Brown's farm in Lake Placid. Portions of that visit stayed with me all my life, even though at that point I had little idea of who Brown had been or what he had done, and Brown later became 1 of my heroes, along with Nat Turner (I recommend the John Brown biography "To Purge This Land with Blood," by the late Stephen Oates, who also wrote a book on Turner). West Point was another treasured visitation spot for my family. As I've written elsewhere, my father desperately wanted me to "inherit" his love for football and often brought me to West Point to watch Army games. I came to sustain a lifelong love for the historic campus at West Point and the beauty of the Hudson Valley and bonding-time with Dad, but...alas...I'm as bored with football now as I was as a callow child. As a young man, I began visiting historic cemeteries up and down the Hudson River, including Oak Hill Cemetery in Nyack (supposedly haunted) with a breath-taking view of the Tappan Zee Bridge. On the other side of the Hudson, there was the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Tarrytown. As I grew older, I explored some of the towns and villages going up the Hudson. Cold Spring (a wonderful place, with exquisite restaurants and fascinating antique shops), Newburgh, Beacon, New Paltz, Poughkeepsie, Hyde Park, Catskill, Hudson (a center of prostitution in the 1950s), Saugerties, Kingston. Some of the towns had a bleak, run-down appearance; I often referred to them as "Twilight Zone" towns. However, even the most depressing of them had a charm and the beauty of the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains as a backdrop. In Acra, I found the home of my childhood hero, mobster Jack "Legs" Diamond. The house looked almost exactly as it did in 1931 (the guest house across the street for Legs' gunmen had become an Elks Club), and it was for sale! My old friend called the real estate agent, and we were given a tour of the house, which my friend was able to record (before we entered the house, the agent said, "I have to tell you beforehand that this house once belonged to Legs Diamond."). It was surreal, and exhilarating! Legs Diamond once walked through these very hallways, maybe with Lucky Luciano or Dutch Schultz (when they weren't shooting at each other) as an occasional guest. In an upstairs bedroom, my friend said, "This must be where Legs slept." With his wife Alice or his mistress Kiki, or perhaps another paramour (in addition to being a dangerous bootlegger and killer, Legs was a dapper "ladies' man.")? The agent declined to speculate. This agent was patient and kind, but we must have come across as 2 kooks-- not to make too much of it, but I felt like a Revolutionary War fanatic being given a personalized tour of George Washington's boyhood domicile. God knows, my friend has annoyed and exasperated me over the years with his drunken antics, but I've always said, "Arranging that visit is your 'Get Out of Jail' card with me." I visited Buffalo once with my parents. My aunt and uncle lived there. I enjoyed the visit but wasn't overly impressed with Buffalo. But Niagara Falls did make a distinct, indelible impression. I also vividly remember traveling through the Thousand Islands area with some friends on our way to fish in Canada. I've never been to Albany or Syracuse or Rochester or Plattsburgh. But NY State is a BIG, sprawling state. A lot to see, and not enough hours in a lifetime to see all of it. In a recent conversation with my oldest friend, I mentioned that, if I had my "dream life," I'd live somewhere in Vermont, a state I've never been to, but have "visited" in my fantasy life while looking through photo books. My friend said, "What would you do up there? You think the college kids in Bennington want to hang out with an old man like you? You'd sit on the porch and stare at the trees. No, if you ever get your wish, you should go to the Hudson Valley. That's your 'happy place.' Take photos of the pristine mountains and the river. Or the lovely old cemeteries. Visit the shops and bookstores. Sit in the restaurants. Find a place where local musicians are playing. That's where you should wind up, not Vermont!" I can't think of any argument to counter that. I think if I can die while watching the flow of the Hudson River in the shimmering moonlight with the towering mountains rising majestically beyond, and the stars twinkling brightly above, I'll die a happy, contented man.

(5052) State of New York is my home where I was born. Everyone thinks of New York City when they…read morethink of my State. In my state you can be in the city and as you move around the state it's many other atmospheres, geography, heritage, cultural activities or lack of activities. I could go on and on. I've lived in California, Florida, Kentucky and Connecticut too and I love them all. When I stopped my wandering my decision was to be here when I die. I wanted to come full circle. I'm recommending, you decide the reason you do or do not like New York.

Newark has a bad rep especially for those not from Jersey. It has it's reputation sure and some…read moreareas still after dark, but what major city doesn't? What isn't talked about as much is what Newark does have - lots of history through parks and Newark Museum, lots of shops along Broad and Market, though they aren't like they used to be and events at the Prudential Center a.k.a The Rock. The NJPAC has great shows and the Ironbound has great restaurants as well as other hidden gems througout Newark and it's boroughs. Newark is the major hub of NJ - you can take a bus or train virtually any where you want in state or out, if you can't you can certainly get your start in Newark. Newark airport - NWK is frequented by even some New Yorkers because its just that convenient and thus serves very many people not just NJ - North and Central. Hopefully Newark continues its upward swing. Many new restaurants are coming. Students of many nationalities are coming in to study and there is even a New Whole Foods and new Shoprite built recently. Newark needs help, but it has character.

Your mayor just canceled Christopher Columbus, so I'm canceling you. I won't spend another…read moredime-NJPac, Prudential Center, Ironbound, Newark Museum, or any other place. I used to ignore the crime to visit but no more.

I love this part of Jersey City. It's old and historic and just grand…read more Love the double stairwells when you step inside and the spacious layout.

Have been here for meetings. Can park in the back after 5 for free. Got in fast, had security. Not…read moremuch to say.

America's oldest suburb before Staten Island became one of the five boroughs of New York City, New…read moreBrighton features a variety of homes dating from the 1850s to the present. New Brighton is nestled within a green crescent formed by Snug Harbor, Goodhue Park, Jones Woods and Skyline Park to the west and south and bordered by the Kill Van Kull waterway to the north. On the east, New Brighton borders St. George, which was once part of New Brighton, and Tompkinsville. The area is a mixed income neighborhood where towering Victorian cottages stand within a block of public housing. New Brighton is a popular location for artists and commuters alike, attracted by proximity to the Staten Island Ferry and a diverse population. Two popular bars in the neighborhood are Adobe Blues and Leidy's Shore Inn. Along the waterside of Richmond Terrace, the area is marked by the looming presence of the old U.S. Gypsum works, which today is home to Atlantic Salt and Gerardi's Farmer Market. The St. George/New Brighton Historic District includes many beautiful shingle style Victorian homes, including many examples of the work of Edward Alfred Sargent. There are also many museums within a block of the neighborhood to either side, including Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Gardens, Staten Island Children's Museum, John Noble Collection, Staten Island Museum and the site of the U. S. Lighthouse Museum.

I have (unofficially) moved here from my former neighborhood (Stapleton). If you're from SI for…read moresome time now, you must have heard about bad things on this neighborhood. Yes, I have to admit it can be scary but there goes the challenge & interesting aspect of this neighborhood----I can always use the materials for my writing works (I'm a writer & have been working on several projects the past years of being here in NYC). At least in the area where I live, I always have to pass by some blocks that look somewhat misplaced but who am I to judge about how people should lead & pursue their lives? On certain blocks (I won't name the streets here---do your own research---I am not your teacher LOL), you'd see large vehicles of cops that seem to stay here forever (like, 24/7) so that means something bad probably is ongoing....I see similar things in certain neighborhoods up in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and upstate Manhattan....but if you see such things occurring in SI, that's a sign that something unusual is ongoing because most people lead relatively quiet lives in this borough. But you'd see relative affluence in this place; I've always wondered how people could afford to have huge houses and they just live by themselves (or with a few family members). You'd see a number of businesses here that are rundown but they have customers. I don't see a lot of 'For Sale' signs (at least in those areas here I've been to) but I have seen a number of boarded up Victorian style houses---I wish they'd be sold soon, renovated, and lived in by other families.....You'd see parks, a diverse presence of people who live & work here, NYC owned buildings, churches, delis, grand looking houses, etc. The neighborhood's not that accessible to public transport----it's hilly so you'd have to exercise yourself if you're thinking of walking in and around the neighborhood. But it's relatively close to St George, which can be reached by walking in half an hour or so from here. I'll share more & update this when I get the chance. In the meantime, explore this neighborhood when you get the chance.

A beautiful place with large brick homes. In many cases only driveways and no garages. The homes…read moreare probably 100 years old. There was a nice changing of the leaves. It began to rain shortly after we arrived and continued to do so until we got back to our lodging.

Beautiful city with lots to do and lots of health centers. I like coming here for the movies at new…read moreroc city and eat nearby. I have taken my mother to several appointments in this city as well and always have great service. Def enjoy coming here although i live in the Bronx

Broadway (important street) - Broadway always leaves a strong impression on me. It is a vibrant…read moreartery of the city, full of history, theaters, people, and constant movement. Walking along Broadway has a unique atmosphere where culture, entertainment, and everyday New York life blend together. Each section of the street has its own character. We found ourselves coming back here several times.

Just go. Amazing people watching. Great street vibe. Lights at night are a can't miss stop…read more Theaters and shows nearby. Hundreds of restaurants.

NYC Department of Cultural Affairs makes my life brighter. They have so many projects to make my…read morecity beautiful. Instead of looking at the horrible construction sites they have a partnership with ArtBridge New York. They incorporated canvas with artist work to hang around the construction sites. It's wonderful to see and much better than looking at the wood and billboard posters for months while construction is completed. You can visit their website to see the many projects and find the locations. I'm a huge fan. This department serves non-profit cultural organizations involved in the visual, literary and performing arts; public-oriented science and humanities institutions including zoos, botanical gardens and historic and preservation societies; and the creative artists who live and work within the City's five boroughs. I love all their benefactors.

Recommend? Well, if you are a criminal or a menace to society I highly recommend you barge in her…read moreand act like the idiot you truly are. It's a courthouse. If you need to go here, you go here. Just make sure you dress like you're flying out of JFK; no belt, empty pockets, leave your weapons (nail file, nail clippers, etc) at home and if you are a bracelet freak like me, leave all 32 of your jingly jangles in your bag or just be prepared to remove them. Unlike TSA, these guys are NYPD and a lot friendlier (at least to me). Anyway, if ya gotta come to the courthouse, come to the courthouse, but it not a destination. NOTE: if you are showing up for jury duty and need to report to room 212, bring a book, a tablet, a battery pack and something inconspicuous to snack on (cuz no eating) and sit at the front because at some point you will be asked to line up to turn in part of your summons.

Well, I do recommend the Bronx Court House. I have been here for many things like, Jury Duty,…read morefiling a name change, filing a court case and early voting. I don't know what else to say about it but it is what it is.